Bolivia's Ocean Borders: A Geographical Mystery

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America, meaning it does not border any oceans. Bolivia lost its coastline in 1884 after a war with Chile, and has been trying to regain access to the sea ever since. Bolivia's dream of restoring its access to the coast is still ongoing, with the country's president, Evo Morales, stating that Bolivia will never give up on its sovereign route to the sea.

Bolivia lost its Pacific coast to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884)

The war was fought over control of a part of the Atacama Desert, which lies between the 23rd and 26th parallels on the Pacific coast of South America. The territory contained valuable mineral resources, particularly sodium nitrate. National borders in the region had never been definitively established, and the war was sparked by a dispute between Chile and Bolivia over increased taxes on a Chilean mining company operating in the region.

In February 1879, Chile occupied the Bolivian port city of Antofagasta, and Bolivia subsequently declared war on Chile, calling on its secret ally, Peru, for support. Chile then declared war on both Peru and Bolivia in April 1879.

The war was fought at sea and on land. Chile easily occupied the Bolivian coastal region (Antofagasta province) and then took the offensive against Peru. Naval victories at Iquique and Angamos enabled Chile to control the sea approaches to Peru. A Chilean army then invaded Peru, and in January 1881, Chilean forces occupied the Peruvian capital of Lima.

The war ended in 1884, with a truce between Bolivia and Chile that gave the latter control of the entire Bolivian coast, including the nitrate-rich Atacama Desert. Bolivia became a landlocked country, and has tried to regain access to the sea ever since.

Bolivia accepted the loss of its coastline in 1904, signing a peace treaty with Chile

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It became landlocked in 1884 after losing access to the sea following a war with Chile. In 1904, Bolivia signed a peace treaty with Chile, accepting the loss of its coastline.

The dispute between Bolivia and Chile began in 1879 when Chile invaded the Antofagasta port city on its northern border with Bolivia due to a dispute over taxes. Within four years, Chile had taken almost 50,000 square miles of Bolivian territory, including its 250-mile coastline on the southern Pacific Ocean.

In 1904, Bolivia signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Chile, agreeing to the loss of its coastline in exchange for the "'fullest and freest'" commercial access to port. Chile also agreed to compensate Bolivia for its loss of land and give it access to Chilean ports. Additionally, Chile promised to build a railway from the port of Arica to Bolivia's biggest city, La Paz.

Despite the treaty, Bolivia has never forgotten its dream of returning to the Pacific coast. Every year on March 23, Bolivians celebrate a national Day of the Sea, commemorating their lost coastline. Bolivia even established a navy in 1963, despite not having a sea to sail on.

In recent years, Bolivia has tried to regain access to the sea by taking Chile to the International Court of Justice. However, in 2018, the court ruled against forcing Chile to negotiate, stating that Chile was not obliged to give up any of its territory to provide Bolivia with a route to the sea.

Bolivia has a small navy despite being landlocked

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest and west, and Peru to the northwest. Bolivia has been landlocked since the War of the Pacific (1879-1883 or 1884), when it lost its coastline to Chile. Despite this, Bolivia has a small navy, established in 1963, that continues to hope for and work towards the recovery of its coast.

The Bolivian Navy, or Armada Boliviana, was founded as a "river force" with cast-off vessels from the US and China. Today, it consists of around 5,000 personnel and a fleet of several dozen boats, including riverine patrol boats, speedboats, tankers, and other vessels. The navy operates primarily on Lake Titicaca, a large lake shared with Peru, and on Bolivia's Amazonian rivers, which are tributaries to the Amazon.

The existence of the Bolivian Navy serves as a reminder of the country's refusal to give up on its dream of regaining access to the sea. The loss of its coastline is considered a "historical injustice" in Bolivia, and the navy plays a crucial role in cultivating a maritime consciousness and keeping the hope alive. The navy participates in parades and government functions, most notably the annual Día del Mar (Day of the Sea), during which Bolivia reaffirms its claim for sovereign access to the sea.

The Bolivian Navy has a range of responsibilities and duties beyond simply maintaining a presence on Lake Titicaca and the Amazonian rivers. They work to prevent drug trafficking and smuggling, deliver medical supplies to remote communities, and respond to natural disasters. Additionally, the navy has participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations, such as a mission in Haiti.

Despite being landlocked, Bolivia has not given up on its aspirations for coastal access. In 2013, Bolivia took its case to the International Court of Justice, arguing that Chile had an obligation to negotiate and grant Bolivia sovereign access to the sea. However, the court ruled against Bolivia, stating that Chile was not obliged to enter negotiations. Nonetheless, Bolivia's determination to regain its coastline remains strong, and the Bolivian Navy continues to exist as a symbol of that enduring hope.

Bolivia celebrates the Day of the Sea annually

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America, bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. It lost its coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1883/4).

Every year on March 23, Bolivia celebrates the Day of the Sea (Dia del Mar). This is a patriotic event when the country remembers the loss of its coastal Litoral Province during the War of the Pacific with Chile. The date marks the anniversary of the Battle of Topáter, the first combat of the war, which took place on March 23, 1879.

The focus of the Day of the Sea is Colonel Eduardo Abaroa Figeroa, Bolivia's main national hero from the war. Abaroa Figeroa led the civilian resistance and refused to surrender to Chilean forces after the Bolivian military withdrew. He was killed in the Battle of Topáter (also known as the Battle of Calama). A large statue of him stands in Plaza Abaroa in La Paz, where the main political and military tributes take place during the Day of the Sea. The evening before, a casket with Abaroa's remains is paraded through the city centre to the Plaza. The day is also marked by parades by military and naval units, civic groups, schools, and colleges.

The Day of the Sea is an opportunity for Bolivia to reiterate its claims for access to the Pacific Ocean. Bolivia argues that having sovereign access to the Pacific is key to its economy and would boost growth. The country maintains a small navy, the Armada Boliviana, and its troops drill on the Amazon and Lake Titicaca, as well as patrolling Bolivia's river borders.

Bolivia has indirect access to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans through agreements with neighbouring countries

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest and west, and Peru to the northwest. Bolivia became landlocked in 1884 when it lost its Pacific coast territory to Chile in the War of the Pacific.

Despite being landlocked, Bolivia has not given up on its dream of returning to the Pacific coast. Every year on March 23, Bolivians celebrate a national Day of the Sea. Bolivia even maintains a small navy, established in 1963, that patrols Bolivia's river borders with Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Bolivia also celebrates the Day of the Sea every year and has a small navy that drills on the Amazon and Lake Titicaca.

In 2013, Bolivia's President Evo Morales filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to force Chile to negotiate the handover of some of its land. Bolivia's representatives framed the suit as an economic matter, arguing that the country's annual GDP growth would be 20% higher if it had a route to international waters. Bolivia's former president Eduardo Rodríguez Veltze argued that this "would make a small difference to Chile, but it would transform the destiny of Bolivia".

Although the ICJ ruled against Bolivia in 2018, the country's president Luis Arce has said that the dispute is "open and pending". Bolivia still has indirect access to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans through agreements with neighbouring countries. For example, Chile has stuck to its 1904 promise to Bolivia of "fullest and freest" commercial access to the port. Bolivia enjoys duty-free port access and has its own customs station and storage facilities on the Chilean coast.

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